Help the needy by exercising

Midvalley residents have a perfect chance to make room for their holiday indulgences while helping out neighbors in need.

Colorado Mountain College and The Gym are co-sponsoring a Thanksgiving Turkey Trim on Thursday as a benefit for LIFT-UP.

Instructors from CMC and The Gym will offer a variety of classes on Thanksgiving morning as part of the benefit. The entrance fee for each class will be a minimum of five cans of food or $10. Financial contributions should be checks made out to LIFT-UP.

The classes will include weight lifting with Virginia Reynolds, co-owner of The Gym; spinning with Beth Barnes; stretch and tone with Linda Loeschen; and ski conditioning by Cindy Maestas and Eileen Hinchliffe. All classes are from 9 to 10 a.m.

Hinchliffe said Barnes thought of the exercise extravaganza as a way to help the worthy local charity. It is hoped the event can grow into an annual fund-raiser. She encouraged people to come out and “strut their stuffing” in a way that makes room for the Thanksgiving feast and helps those in need.

People who cannot attend a class on Thanksgiving morning can still help. Nonperishable foods are being collected for LIFT-UP at the CMC office in Aspen and at The Gym, located at the old Valley Lumber spot at 0082 Duroux Lane in the Basalt Business Center, off Willits Lane.